Phytometric and Productive Characteristics of Safflower Submitted to Phosphate Fertilization in the Oxisol of the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

The safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), in particular, has been soaring in significance as an alternative for oil and biodiesel production. In this context, the goal of this study was to assess the influence exerted by phosphate fertilization on the phytometric and productive characteristics of the safflower raised on the Oxisol of the Cerrado. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse, using pots of 3 dm ) and six replicates were included. The following variables were estimated, viz., number of leaves, plant height, and stem diameter, besides chlorophyll index (SPAD index), number of chapters and shoot dry matter. Barring the shoot dry matter and number of chapters, all the other variables were evaluated on days 30 and 45 after the plants were transplanted. Data were submitted to analysis of variance at 1%, 5% and 10% probabilities, and regression analysis, at 1% and 5% probabilities, respectively. All the variables revealed significant differences and adjustments to the linear regression model (P < 0.1), excepting the SPAD index on day 30 after the plant emergence which was adjusted to the quadratic regression model. The highest findings of 24.47 for leaf number, 34.97 cm for plant height, 3.76 mm for stem diameter, 64.76 for chlorophyll index, 5 units for the number of chapters and 3.45 g for dry shoot mass were recorded in response to the highest phosphorus dose in the experimental range (P 2 O 5 : 540 mg·dm −3

Wood Ash as a Corrective and Fertilizer in Safflower Crop in Oxisol of Brazilian Cerrado

“…The findings from the current work correspond with those of Bonfim-Silva et al (2017b). They determined the performance of safflower in response to the phosphorus doses applied, and confirmed similar findings, with quadratic and linear responses at 30 and 45 days after emergence, respectively.…”

“…Considering this, the highly improved output in the number of tillers (in comparison to the control treatment without fertilization) is due to the higher nutritional state of the plant, as it is easier for it to express its potential than with the chemical restriction (Kerbauy, 2005). Bonfim-Silva et al (2017b) confirmed the phytometric characteristics of the safflower plants raised in the Oxisol on phosphorus doses. The 57.1% linear escalation in the number of plant chapters concurred with the findings of the present study.…”

“…Bonfim-Silva et al (2015a, 2017a, 2017b) also observed similar findings in their evaluation of the ornamental sunflower, Vigna unguiculata and Canavalia ensiformis, respectively, reported an escalation in the aerial plant parts in the order of 50, 93 and 66%, respectively, for the shoot dry mass plant parts cultivated in soil supplied with nearly 20 g dm -3 of wood ash doses, in comparison with the control treatment. Bonfim-Silva et al (2013) in their assessment of the development in Marandu grass in response to the wood ash doses, confirmed that the root dry mass was inclined to rise as the wood ash doses were applied.…”